Skip to main content
Press slash or control plus K to focus the search. Use the arrow keys to navigate results and press enter to open a threat.
Reconnecting to live updates…

CVE-2025-11840: Out-of-Bounds Read in GNU Binutils

0
Medium
VulnerabilityCVE-2025-11840cvecve-2025-11840
Published: Thu Oct 16 2025 (10/16/2025, 15:32:11 UTC)
Source: CVE Database V5
Vendor/Project: GNU
Product: Binutils

Description

A weakness has been identified in GNU Binutils 2.45. The affected element is the function vfinfo of the file ldmisc.c. Executing manipulation can lead to out-of-bounds read. The attack can only be executed locally. The exploit has been made available to the public and could be exploited. This patch is called 16357. It is best practice to apply a patch to resolve this issue.

AI-Powered Analysis

AILast updated: 10/16/2025, 15:59:55 UTC

Technical Analysis

CVE-2025-11840 is a vulnerability identified in GNU Binutils version 2.45, specifically within the vfinfo function of the ldmisc.c source file. The issue is an out-of-bounds read, which occurs when the function accesses memory beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This can lead to the disclosure of unintended memory contents, potentially exposing sensitive information. The vulnerability requires local access with low privileges, meaning an attacker must have some level of access to the affected system but does not require elevated privileges or user interaction to exploit. The attack vector is local (AV:L), with low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:L), and no user interaction (UI:N). The vulnerability does not impact confidentiality, integrity, or availability directly but can leak memory data (VA:L). The scope is unchanged (S:N), and no authentication or user interaction is needed. The CVSS v4.0 base score is 4.8, classifying it as medium severity. The vulnerability has been publicly disclosed, and a patch (identified as patch 16357) has been released by the GNU project to address the issue. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, but the availability of a public exploit increases the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability primarily affects systems running GNU Binutils 2.45, which is commonly used in software development, compilation, and linking processes on Unix-like operating systems. The flaw could be leveraged by attackers with local access to gain sensitive information from memory, which might aid in further attacks or privilege escalation if combined with other vulnerabilities.

Potential Impact

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-11840 is primarily related to potential information disclosure on systems running GNU Binutils 2.45. Since Binutils is widely used in software development and build environments, organizations involved in software engineering, embedded systems, and infrastructure management could be affected. The vulnerability requires local access, limiting remote exploitation risks, but insider threats or compromised accounts could exploit this flaw. The out-of-bounds read could leak sensitive memory contents, possibly exposing cryptographic keys, credentials, or proprietary code, which could facilitate further attacks or intellectual property theft. The medium severity rating reflects the limited scope and impact, but the presence of a public exploit increases urgency for patching. Organizations with critical infrastructure or those subject to regulatory compliance (e.g., GDPR) must consider the risk of data leakage and potential reputational damage. The vulnerability does not directly affect system availability or integrity but could be a stepping stone for more severe attacks if combined with other vulnerabilities.

Mitigation Recommendations

European organizations should immediately verify if GNU Binutils version 2.45 is deployed in their environments, particularly on developer workstations, build servers, and CI/CD pipelines. Applying the official patch (patch 16357) released by the GNU project is the most effective mitigation. If patching is not immediately possible, restricting local access to trusted users and implementing strict access controls can reduce exploitation risk. Monitoring for unusual local activity and auditing user privileges can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also review their software supply chain and build environments for exposure and consider isolating build systems from sensitive networks. Employing memory protection mechanisms and runtime security tools may help detect anomalous memory access patterns. Regularly updating GNU Binutils and related toolchains to the latest versions will prevent exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities. Finally, educating developers and system administrators about the risk and ensuring secure coding and build practices will reduce the attack surface.

Need more detailed analysis?Get Pro

Technical Details

Data Version
5.1
Assigner Short Name
VulDB
Date Reserved
2025-10-16T08:36:17.235Z
Cvss Version
4.0
State
PUBLISHED

Threat ID: 68f112c09f8a5dbaeae0563d

Added to database: 10/16/2025, 3:44:00 PM

Last enriched: 10/16/2025, 3:59:55 PM

Last updated: 10/19/2025, 7:29:00 AM

Views: 18

Community Reviews

0 reviews

Crowdsource mitigation strategies, share intel context, and vote on the most helpful responses. Sign in to add your voice and help keep defenders ahead.

Sort by
Loading community insights…

Want to contribute mitigation steps or threat intel context? Sign in or create an account to join the community discussion.

Actions

PRO

Updates to AI analysis require Pro Console access. Upgrade inside Console → Billing.

Please log in to the Console to use AI analysis features.

Need enhanced features?

Contact root@offseq.com for Pro access with improved analysis and higher rate limits.

Latest Threats